The Oregon capitol building burned in the spring of 1935, destroying most records. What the fire did not destroy, the water damaged. If anything survived, it went to the Oregon Historical Society and the State Archives.

“PORTLAND, OR – Multnomah County Library now features the only publicly available, complete full-text digitized archive of The Oregonian newspaper. Multnomah County Library cardholders can now access every article, editorial, illustration, photograph and advertisement published in The Oregonian between 1861 and 1972. By the end of this year, the archive will include all editions up to 1987.

Multnomah County Library is the only source for free access to this archive and all associated features. Previously, total access to this vast resource for Oregon history was available only by paying a monthly subscription fee to NewsBank, the service provider….” Oregonian Archives.